New Delhi: Top wrestler Vinesh Phogat broke down before camera Wednesday night after a scuffle broke out between the Delhi Police and the protesting grapplers. The wrestlers claimed that the police personnel stopped them from bringing in folding beds to the protest site.
"If you want to kill us, then kill us," Vinesh said during a late night media interaction as she cried before camera. "Did we win medals for the country to see this day? We have not even eaten our food. Does every man have a right to abuse women? These police men are holding guns, they can kill us," she charged.
"Where were female police officers? How can the male officers push us like that. We are not criminals. We do not deserve such treatment. The police officer who was drunk hit my brother," the star wrestler alleged.
Reacting to the incident West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came out strongly in support of the wrestlers by saying that the country stands by her 'daughters'. Taking to Twitter she wrote, "Disrobing the honour of our daughters in this manner is utterly shameful. India stands by its daughters and I as a human being definitely stand by our wrestlers. Law is one for all. “Law of the ruler” cant hijack the dignity of these fighters."
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Disrobing the honour of our daughters in this manner is utterly shameful. India stands by its daughters and I as a human being definitely stand by our wrestlers. Law is one for all. “Law of the ruler” cant hijack the dignity of these fighters. You can assault them but can’t break…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 4, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Disrobing the honour of our daughters in this manner is utterly shameful. India stands by its daughters and I as a human being definitely stand by our wrestlers. Law is one for all. “Law of the ruler” cant hijack the dignity of these fighters. You can assault them but can’t break…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 4, 2023Disrobing the honour of our daughters in this manner is utterly shameful. India stands by its daughters and I as a human being definitely stand by our wrestlers. Law is one for all. “Law of the ruler” cant hijack the dignity of these fighters. You can assault them but can’t break…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 4, 2023
"You can assault them but can’t break their spirit. The fight is right and the fight will continue. Don’t dare to hurt our wrestlers, the nation is watching their tears and the nation won’t forgive you. I urge our wrestlers to stay strong, I share all my strength with them," she further stated.
Also read: Anurag Thakur tried to suppress the matter: Vinesh Phogat
Meanwhile, Bajrang Punia called farmers and the general public to reach Jantar Mantar in their support. "I request everyone to reach Delhi by morning. This is time. If not now, then when," he said adding that it is the question of 'dignity of our daughters'.
When enquired about the incident, Bajrang asked reporters to look for footages from the CCTV cameras installed at the protest site. The Delhi Police claimed that AAP leader Somnath Bharti had brought the folding beds for them. Responding to the claim, Bajrang said that they had ordered the beds and CCTV footage can establish whether Bharti was present.
The wrestlers resumed their second round of 'sit-in' on April 23 demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Seven female grapplers, including one minor, have alleged the WFI president of sexual harassment. On Tuesday, Vinesh claimed that Union Sports Minister had tried to suppress the matter earlier during their first round of protest in the beginning of the year.
